John Edwards for President Statement on the Edwardses' Interview with Katie Couric

[Catchawave]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2007

CONTACT:
Jonathan Prince
919-636-3158


John Edwards for President Statement on the Edwardses' Interview with Katie Couric

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - John Edwards for President Deputy Campaign Manager Jonathan Prince released the following statement today following criticism of Katie Couric for her interview with Senator and Mrs. Edwards. The interview, which took place on Saturday and lasted 90 minutes, aired last night on 60 Minutes.

"The Edwardses appreciated the opportunity 60 Minutes afforded them to respond to tough questions which have been raised in response to last week's diagnosis that Mrs. Edwards' cancer had returned. Mrs. Edwards also called Ms. Couric today to thank her for the interview and to say that she and Senator Edwards thought the interview was both thorough and fair."

During a roundtable today in San Francisco to discuss his plan to halt global warming, Senator Edwards was asked about the matter and said: "My reaction was that Katie Couric asked questions that the American people are asking themselves, and I think they were completely legitimate questions. And I think the American people deserve answers from me and from Elizabeth to those questions. I mean, I'm asking America to support me and vote for me as their next president, and I think part of the evaluation of a candidate for president is a personal evaluation of the character and integrity and honesty of a candidate. So, no, I thought the questions were fair. Tough. I thought they were tough, but they were fair."

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Paid for by John Edwards for President.

[BellaLuna]

1. That's what I thought

They got the chance to answer the questions the right are throwing out and did a great job doing it.

[zbdent]

9. I'd like to see a Dem get in an interview with a reporter where it was live

and the reporter could get trashed on national TV ... because the "reporter"/"journalist" can't go back and hack it into tiny pieces for propaganda soundbites ...

[Catchawave]

13. I agree...the interview was 90 minutes !?!

I want to see the rest of it now :D

[Jackpine Radical]

2. The more I see of John Edwards

the more I like him. I've been a total fan of Elizabeth since meeting her during the '04 campaign.

This isn't sympathy on my part (although my heart goes out to both of them). Rather, it is a rapidly growing respect for John's classy way of conducting himself.

[Olney Blue]

3. I agree. I was not considering Edwards as my candidate, but I am

impressed that Elizabeth supports him so much. I am going to take a second look.

[tom_paine]

14. You mirror my own thoughts, Jackpine...

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. They are so kindhearted.

Much more forgiving than me.:)

[bobbolink]

17. I think it comes from a strong self-confidence, and a sureness of who they are.

Which has grown in the love and respect and support they give to each other.

sigh....

Would that we all had that!!

[CTyankee]

5. They have shown us what a president can be, not what we have now.

I was so impressed with them at their press conference! If I were voting in a primary today, I would vote for him. He was so graceful and articulate.

[JohnnyLib2]

6. Well, good for him. And Elizabeth. And K. Couric. But,

will anyone listen to these comments? Anger is so much more fun.....

:sarcasm:

[Bjorn Against]

18. Edwards said what he had to say, that does not mean Couric did a good interview...

Honestly, if Edwards would have slammed Katie Couric like he very likely wanted to he would have been eaten alive by the press. It seemed as if every one of Couric's questions was of the "some people say" variety however, that is poor journalism and it should be criticized.

[Catchawave]

7. I think he's opened the door for the media

to keep asking the tough questions....of all the candidates :toast:

[MontanaMaven]

10. That's what I like about him. He's wicked smart

He wants everybody to be asked many important questions.
If you are going to ask Edwards if he's in it for "the glory", then you need to ask it of all
of them. The whole line of questioning might have been fair, but the Edwards also showed how petty it was and how illogical it was.
So is Hilary the only one qualfied to run because her child is grown up? What about
Bill's heart condition? What about Barack's little children? Is any of this making any sense?
Can we get back to talking about the problems our nation faces?

Talk about "grace and courage under fire". This is how a President acts. This is how grown ups act.

[Catchawave]

12. Olbermann's going to be discussing this tonight !

It's coming up soon :hi:

[Beaverhausen]

11. Right on!!! If they want to make this about "character" he wins hands down!

:hi:

[Clarkie1]

8. K & R. I agree. nt

[Cha]

15. Oh Yeah! John and Elizabeth

Owned couric in that interview..they came off looking stellar and couric
had her Dem interview tactics sharpened as usual but finally came off looking like the corporateshill she is.

I expected this reaction from John and Elizabeth..Their Graciousness is not an act. couric got some Real Southern Hospitality.

[w4rma]

16. Very Presidential. This statement shouldn't stop folks from condemning the "some say" questions,tho

Couric should *not* have been asking questions so heavily dependent on "some say".

[Jacklyn75]

19. What a classy way to respond to the interview! n/t

[Lex]

20. John and Elizabeth Edwards RULE.

Katie Couric DROOLZ.